Locomotive curtain



A. C. OLSON.

LOCOMOTIVIi CURTAIN. APPLICATION FILED OCT. I8. 1920.

1 42 1 293 Patented June 27, 1922.

A a @ison.

ANTON C. OLSON, 0F MANDAN, NORTH DAKOTA.

LOCOMOTIVE CURTAIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 27, 1922.

Application filed October 18, 1920. Serial No. 417,836.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANTON C. OLSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mandan, in the county of Morton and State of North Dakota, have invented new and useful Locomotive Curtains, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a curtain for use between the cab of a locomotive and the tank. Many fires have been started in locomotive cabs because, owing to the poor mounting of the side curtains, they have become ignited. Furthermore the side curtains when not in use have usually been located where they cover the back windows of the cab, extend a foot or two below the apron, and cover the grab irons on the cab.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide curtains which, when folded, will be out of the way, are not likely to become ignited, and in no way interfere with the grab irons.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the corn bination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that, within the scope of what is claimed, changes in the precise embodiment of the invention shown can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a cab and tank and showing a curtain supported in operative position.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22, F igure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3, Figure 1.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference A designates a portion of a locomotive cab and B designates a portion of the tank. Suspended from the roof of the cab adjacent each side is a chain 1 provided with a ring 2 at its lower end into which is extended a finger 3 projecting from the looped end 4 of a rod 5.

. Formed on the front portion of the tank B near each side is a metal box 6 and fastened within the upper portion of this box 15 an eye bolt 7 which engages and supports one end of the rod 5.

Secured within the box 6 is one edge of a curta 1n 8 and to the other edge of this curtain is fastened a curtain board 9 having laterally extending fingers 10. To the outer face of the box 6 are secured superposed hooks or keeper s .11 and when the curtain S is. not in use 1t can be pushed back into the box 6 and the board 9 can be lowered so as to bring its fingers 10 into engagement with the keepers 11. The board will thus act as a closure for the box and protect the curtain within the box from the elements and also from the torches, etc, carried about the locomotive. tain 18 to be used the fingers 10 are disengaged from the keepers 11, the curtain withdrawn from the box 6, and the fingers 10 lowered. into engagement with keepers 12 secured to the back wall of the engine cab. It is to be understood of course that the curtain has sliding engagement with the rod 5, there being rings 13 or the like on the curtain adapted to move along the rod.

A structure such as described has many advantages over the curtains commonly em ployed. As the curtains are completely covered when not inuse they are fully protested at those times from the weather and will thus last much longer than where the curtains are constantly exposed. Curtains soon become saturated with oil and are easily ignited. As. they are housed within the boxes when not in use, the torches carried by mechanics or helpers working on the engine will not ignite the curtains. The curtains are shorter than those ordinarily used and can, consequently, be made at less cost. As it is not necessary to remove the curtains between seasons, a considerable saving is effected by doing away with the help that would. ordinarily be required to remove. store, and replace the curtains. It will be noted furthermore that the curtains, when housed do not interfere with the view through the back windows of the cab. Likewise they do not interfere with the grab irons which are thus left exposed at all times for use. As the curtains do not hang 011 the cab they do not obstruct the gangway between the cab and the tank.

What is claimed is v 1. The combination with a cab structure When the cur-v and a tank structure, of a supporting rod movably connected to the tank structure and extending across the space between said structures, a movable supporting connection between the rod and the cab structure, a foldable curtain, slidable connections between the curtain and the rod, said connections being movable under the supporting connection.

2. The combination with a cab structure and a tank structure, oi. a supporting rod connected to one of the structures and bridging the space between both structures, one end of the rod being bent to provide a finger overhanging the rod, a movable support ing connection between the finger and one of the structures, a curtain, and means on the curtain for slidably engaging the rod and supporting the curtain throughout its length, said means being movable under the finger and supporting connection.

3. The combination with a cab structure and a tank structure, of a rod connected to one of the structures and bridging the space between the structures, said rod having alooped end and a terminal finger, the finger overhanging the rod, a detachable and movable connection between the finger and one of the structures, and a curtain slidable on the rod and supported thereby throughout its length.

4. The combination with a cab structure and. a tank structure, of a housing on one of the structures, keepers carried thereby, keepers upon the other structure, a curtain secured within and foldable into the housing, a member carried by the free end of the curtain and movable into engagement with either of the keepers to close the housing While the curtain is folded therein or to hold the curtain extended acrossthe space between the structures, a rod connected to one of the structures and bridging the space between the structures, a detachable, movable, supporting connection between the rod and the other structure, and'means slidable on the rod for supporting the curtain throughout its length when extended to close the space between the structures,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ANTON C. OLSON.

Witnesses:

I. 'T. LARSON, ALFRED JAHNSON. 

